Can God use Dreams and Visions?

I was asked this question in correspondence with a dear believer. Unquestionably, God’s word is authoritative, and let’s consider a few passages that will guide us today. How can we biblical interpret dreams and similar experiences?

Last Days – God Speaks through His Son

Dreams are not equal to revelation. Hebrews 1 gives insight into what biblical revelation is. God speaks by way of His Son, so he does not need prophets today.^[1]However, there will be two witnesses during the tribulation, which in my mind will be on a prophet level but are called “witnesses.” Rev. 11 gives many prophet-like characteristics and … Continue reading The Word of God and the life of Christ brought an accumulation of revelation that went beyond the Old Testament. So, before us is God’s word, the life of Christ, and the Holy Spirit’s indwelling inside of us. God’s leading always works in harmony with His Word.

Is there a latter and greater Revelation?

Islam often believes that their later revelation is greater, but the truth is that the revelation centered on God’s Son is the greatest and final revelation. God spoke previously through His prophets using words and writings, but now He speaks through His Son. When He speaks through His Son, it brings a fuller revelation based on His Son’s life, death, and resurrection. Jesus, who in his essence is God who came to dwell among us, speaks, and we believe and follow that. This singularity points the way and becomes the epicenter for any present or future understanding of the Word of God.

Going back to the prophets would mean that the work of Christ was insufficient. Likewise, returning to dreams and visions as the basis of revelation would also mean the Word of God is inadequate. God’s Word is never lacking. All we need today for life and godliness is found in the Word of God.

Son-based Revelation

This Son-based revelation, as a higher category of revelation, highlights the Son’s profound relationship with the Father. Jesus, unlike a prophet, did not claim that the Word of God came to him or make statements like, Thus says the Lord. He spoke with a depth of authority that directly resulted from his unique relationship with the Father. The singularity of the New Testament’s Son-based revelation becomes the epicenter for understanding God’s Word, both past and future.

Revelation, when spoken by God’s inspiration, is the Word of God. Miraculous events testified to today do not equate to revelation, even though God may use or allow these things to gain a person’s attention. However, by the Spirit of God, revelation, when understood, is categorized as illumination in the believer’s heart—a process often minimized today. God’s word speaks to our hearts and thoughts, whether consciously or subconsciously.

Wisdom and Signs in 1 Corinthians 1

In 1 Corinthians 1, we see people seeking different things: some looking for wisdom, while others seek signs. In light of this, different perspectives on understanding the cross of Christ lead to different ways of presenting the gospel. No matter how one approaches the power of God, the message remains unchanged; however, the approach to “wisdom” or “power” perspective will vary.  In other words, no one is saved by wisdom or by signs – salvation is only through the cross of Christ.

We see three different responses of the cross from those who are unsaved. First, some stumble because of the cross (1 Cor. 1:23a). The Jews looked to God’s power and authority, so the cross appears as a weak and dishonoring point. Humility is needed when they see how God uses the cross to show forth his power. They cannot fathom that a prophet, a savior, or God incarnate would suffer dishonorably in a death by crucifixion. Some scoff at the cross (1 Cor. 1:23b). In their own sense of wisdom, they think Christ dying for another is total foolishness. They speak lowly of the cross as something that has no meaning. The final perspective, which we pray for, is that others will experience the power of the Cross (1 Cor. 1:24) and come to faith in Christ.

The Akan of Ghana proverb says, ‘When God ties a knot, no human can untie it.’^[2]Tokunboh Adeyemo, Africa Bible Commentary (Nairobi, Kenya; Grand Rapids, MI: WordAlive Publishers; Zondervan, 2006), 1406. Others try to explain away the gospel in the cross by saying it is not wise or honorable enough. The problem is that they cannot untie the understanding of God’s knot without the illumination of God’s manual.

The Jews look for a sign, and we must be aware that, in the context of this verse, Christ’s virgin birth, miracles throughout his life, public death, and revealing resurrection have provided power and miracles. Those who are dependent on wisdom often struggle by looking only to the physical world for proof, while they miss the mystical proofs found in God’s person and His incarnate coming. For the Jews and many people in the world, they look at a dream, vision or miraculous event as something authoritative. These things gain their attention, but do not save them unless they believe in the cross of Christ for forgiveness.

Benefit of Dreams

In answering the question of whether God uses dreams, let’s consider how God does use this method. Dreams often hint at what we are thinking about or experiencing during the day.^[3]65% of the elements of dreams are associated with our daytime experiences. www.healthline.com They also bring some of our concerns and anxieties to the surface. If a person has a dream, this may give insight into life and direction. If concerned and anxious, then turning to God or His Word will give comfort and guidance.

When my wife and I got married, she had many dreams at the beginning of our marriage that provided insight into some of her anxieties, prompting us to discuss ways to address these issues. Likewise, just as our daily experiences, dreams can deepen our understanding of ourselves and give insights into how to live. For many of us, ignoring our dreams will limit our understanding of how we navigate life.

Use of the Word Prophecy

The word: Prophecy in the epistles is often not clearly presented. I think a key verse is 1 Corinthians 14:3, which says, “On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.” (ESV).  The technical use of the word relates to a prophet, but here, the definition speaks more to telling the truth to edify, encourage, and comfort. 

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. ² For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, ³ how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, ⁴ while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Hebrews 2:1-4, ESV

Hebrews 2:3-4 mentions that the apostles spoke in signs, wonders, and miraculous works, but then continues to say the gifts of the Spirit. I see the Scriptures are closed so no one speaks prophecy today in the technical use of the word. However, preaching the Word seems to portray what the epistles present as “prophecy.” For this reason, some circles use this word to describe various ministries. Yet, preaching, comforting, and edifying never equate to biblical revelation. If it were not so, then what these prophets of today have spoken should be written down to be Scripture. No church accepts that as possible.

Interestingly, dreams are not mentioned in the Hebrew 2 passage, but are considered a “sign” by those who have them from certain backgrounds. Can God use dreams? Often, it has some presuppositions connected to the one asking the question. I previously wrote about how God uses signs and wisdom, which may interest some.

The one asking this question is often concerned about the dishonoring of God’s Word. For those who dream, they need to place it in its proper place. We do not need to seek a miraculous experience to replace the Word of God, for God’s Word is sufficient. If you dream, look to the Word for the answer that God is directing you towards. The response is not to disbelieve dreams because one does not validate such an occurrence as much as one would not use other apologetic evangelical tools for witnessing. These are all opportunities for sharing Christ in conversation.

I personally have a difficult time when someone claims to have seen a vision… I am doubtful about this type of experience, but what can you say if that is a person’s experience? However, in the church plants I have been a part of in Central Asia, distinguishing anything like this from a revelation or on par with a biblical prophet becomes quite important. I personally listen to the experience and often see how something extraordinary happened, yet never place this on par with the Word of God. As I listen, almost without fail, I hear how this led the person to read the Word of God more.

What is your experience? What do you think about this? Please let me know on social media or by commenting below.

A story of calling and how God’s will was found is in the story of Daniel Bubar: His for Hungary.